Community Energy Educator - Hamden, NY

The Community Energy Educator 1 will primarily assist with the teaching of energy efficiency and clean energy education programs in Delaware County, with limited work in surrounding counties. This position, working in coordination with other Smart Energy Choices Team members in the Southern Tier region, will work to inform residents, multifamily building owners, and small businesses, with an emphasis on low-to-moderate income and priority communities, of the options for adopting clean energy strategies in their homes and businesses.

This program will deliver information and provide education in a wide variety of settings, including, but not limited to: providing educational tables/booths at community events; speaking to community residents at food pantries and mobile food distribution sites; presenting before large audiences; making one-on-one phone calls; following up with leads/clients to provide additional information; assist leads/clients with navigating every step of applying for relevant energy efficiency and clean energy programs available to them; helping troubleshoot obstacles to adopting clean energy strategies; connecting interested residents with green job training and employment opportunities; coordinating with local energy contractors in providing accurate information on the programs, and with community partners to deliver relevant information and education to focus residents.

This position will work with community groups, energy contractors, their supervisor, and other team members to coordinate and implement engaging educational programs. The position may assist with training, engaging, or coordinating the work of volunteers and interns in program delivery. This position will also serve as a subject matter resource and carry out administrative tasks that support the educational program and fulfill funding requirements. The position will report to the Human Ecology Team Leader, with additional support and program direction from the Hub Program Manager, and other senior members of the regional Energy team.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education (Associate’s Degree and two (2) years of transferrable program/functional experience).
- Experience relevant to the role of the position, including but not limited to, any of the following: Teaching non-formal educational programs, with a preference for experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy, or related topics.

- Social work with an emphasis on housing/energy assistance.

- Assisting low-income households receive subsidized housing services.

- Experience working independently, as well as an effective team member.
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to build relationships with diverse audiences and work to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment for program participants and colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new information and communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual means.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities according to those set with the team and immediate supervisor.
- An earnest desire to empower households and communities to create change, and a matching patience to move at the speed of trust.
- Valid NYS Drivers’ License and ability to meet travel requirements associated with the position.
- Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience establishing and working with community stakeholders, especially those with limited income.

- Experience working with, and assisting in developing institutional relationships in Delaware County.

- Multilingual.

- Experience working as a volunteer or supervising volunteers.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal educational programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.
- Aptitude for digital technologies and strategies for educational and communication applications.
- Empathy, sincerity, and an ability to find a silver lining when faced with challenges.

Position Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Program Delivery, Evaluation and Applied Research – 80%

- Utilize established program resources and materials in program work.

- Use a variety of delivery methods including workshops, public events, articles, web pages and social media to deliver program.

- Teach clean energy education programming per established Plan of Work.

- Represent the Energy Team to the public and community leaders in a professional manner as part of program delivery.

- Occasionally apply established subject matter knowledge to adapt materials created by the Energy Team and other professionals to create lesson plans that meet local community and individual needs and consider diverse audiences.

- Assist in maintaining linkages with Cornell and other SUNY institutions as part of program delivery.

- Engage volunteers and interns in program delivery using established materials.

- Serve as subject matter resource and respond to questions about energy efficiency.

- Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and the Energy Education Team to achieve Association program delivery goals.

- Interact with program participants to gather informal program evaluation information.

- Work with the Energy Team to interpret evaluation information based on existing program parameters and assist supervisor to make recommendations for improvement to program offerings.

- Implement program evaluation as designed.

- Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as directed.

Administrative Direction and Management – 10%

- Work in cooperation with the Energy Team to help establish priorities, objectives, and programming for the Clean Energy Program that are supportive of the Association’s mission.

- Assist in the planning of public events and program activities.

- Assist in identifying opportunities for fund development activities.

- Assist in directing/organizing community focus groups and/or advisory committees to support programming initiatives.

- Assist in fostering effective professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.

- Recruit, supervise and support interns and volunteers involved with program outreach and delivery including matching tasks to the individuals, providing informal feedback, problem-solving and regular communication, per established policies and procedures.

- Using priorities set by the Energy Team and supervisor, direct the work of interns.

- Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials) to the Program Supervisor and Energy Team as identified.

- Prepare monthly, detailed, time and effort sheet and report quarterly on direct and indirect contacts.

Administrative Coordination/Operation – 5%

- Provide training for interns and volunteers.
- Collect, compile and submit to supervisor the information needed for narrative and financial reports to meet funding agency requirements.
- Collect budgetary information as needed and relay to supervisor for review.
- Assist in gathering information for grant/contract proposals as needed.
- Assist supervisor in supporting the administrative needs of writing grant/contract proposals as requested to ensure continued funding.
- This position may require the transport of self, program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.

Professional Improvement – 5%

- In cooperation with Supervisor and/or Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes in programming and association priorities.
- Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety – Applied to all duties and functions

- Support the association to maintain a safe working environment.
- Be familiar with and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
- Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.

Position Details

This is a full-time, benefits eligible, non-exempt position (40 hrs/week). The hourly rate for this position is $23.00 to $25.00 commensurate with experience.

We firmly believe in work-life balance and we provide generous paid time off. Paid time off includes 10 Vacation days, 12 Sick days, 3 Personal days, and 11 Holidays annually. Additional benefits based on eligibility, include:

- NYS Health Insurance Program (including FREE Dental Insurance)
- NYS Retirement
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Total Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Voluntary Tax Deferred Annuity Plan
- Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts
- Voluntary Group Universal Life Insurance
- Voluntary Personal Accidental Insurance
- Voluntary Legal Plan Insurance
- Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance
- Voluntary Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance
- Voluntary Pet Insurance
- Voluntary New York’s College Savings Program

Application Deadline

All applicants must apply online by close of day on December 4, 2026 to be considered for this position.

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page:

https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs

How To Apply:  Applicants (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations) must apply online through the APPLY button in this job posting. Current employees of Cornell Cooperative Extension Delaware County are considered internal applicants and must apply online through their Workday account which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/ .  For details on how to apply, visit: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs/apply

Please submit resume, cover letter, and references. Consider indicating in your application all information you feel would be helpful for selection committee members to know.   Once the application is submitted you will NOT be able to change your submission or add attachments. Be sure that you have followed all directions and requirements listed in the job posting.

No relocation or VISA sponsorship available.

Please contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County office at 607-865-6531 with questions.

Job Title:
Association Subject Educator I
Level:
004
Pay Rate Type:
Hourly
Company:
Contract College
Contact Name:
Jerilynn Cross

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.